Muliagatele Brian Lima

Samoa Rugby Union defends Lima appointment

The most capped player in Manu Samoa history escaped a jail term in 2014 for assaulting his former wife and her partner.

He was found guilty of five charges including causing grievous bodily harm, being armed with a dangerous weapon and issuing threats.

RNZ Pacific's correspondent in Samoa, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, said some rugby administrators in the country were concerned a person convicted of domestic assault has been appointed to such a high profile role.

Former Samoa rugby internationals back Mapusua and Muliagatele

The former international teammates have signed two year deals after their appointments were endorsed by the Samoa Rugby Union Board.

Former Highlanders and London Irish Mapusua is light on head coaching experience - having led the Otago Under 19s in New Zealand for the past two years - but former Manu Samoa halfback Tino Junior Poluleuligaga said the news was refreshing.

Tino said Mapusua was an intelligent coach and believed he wouldn't be out of his depth.